All posts by jefftravis

Meet the South Downs apprentice turned ranger…

February 8th, 2023

For National Apprenticeship Week in February, we catch up with Gemma North, Assistant Ranger. Gemma successfully completed an apprenticeship before going on to become a fully-fledged ranger. Can you tell us more about the apprentice role you did at National Park? I undertook a Ranger Apprenticeship role at the South Downs National Park in September […]

South Downs species: the narwhal of insects

February 8th, 2023

Every month our Biodiversity Officer Jan Knowlson will be sharing her knowledge of some remarkable species you may see out and about as you explore the South Downs National Park. This month she shines a light on the bee-fly. Dark-edged bee-fly Bombylius major  Habitat… Woodland, farmland, heathland and calcareous grassland, as well as gardens and […]

New affordable homes in Lewes take climate action to next level

February 8th, 2023

A new net-zero-carbon development in the National Park is due to start this year and be completed by spring 2024. The homes will be built on the site of the former Pells Church of England School in Lewes, providing 32 homes for affordable rent and shared ownership, including four Lewes Low Cost homes. It comes […]

An outdoor adventure! New scheme gives children chance to explore South Downs

February 8th, 2023

An exciting initiative has been launched for schoolchildren to explore the nature, history and culture of the South Downs. Schools across Hampshire and West Sussex are being invited to take part in “Explorers of the South Downs”, which will offer a range of fun activities for young people to connect with the natural world and […]

Mine’s a pint! New tap room opens to visitors in South Downs

February 8th, 2023

Gilbert White made his name as one of the great pioneers of wildlife watching, but did you know he was also an accomplished brewer? Gilbert White’s Brewhouse, built in Selborne in 1765, was where Gilbert enjoyed experimenting with different brews. Fast forward two centuries and it was officially re-opened as a brewery in 2021, producing […]

New lease of life for historic dew pond in South Downs

February 8th, 2023

A weed-clogged dewpond, first established at Seaford Head in the late 19th century, has now been restored as a haven for wildlife.  Local volunteers from the Seaford Natural History Society, with support from Seaford Town Council and South Downs National Park, clocked up over 500 hours from May 2022, to reinstate the biodiversity value of […]

Dazzling dark sky over regal ruins wins South Downs National Park’s photo contest

February 3rd, 2023

A hauntingly beautiful photograph of one of Britain’s most important Tudor homes on a starry night has won a prestigious astrophotography competition. “Cowdray Cosmos”, by Richard Murray, took the top spot in the South Downs National Park’s astrophotography competition, which attracted almost 60 entries this year. The image captures the Milky Way rising over Cowdray […]